This first Philamplify debate was inspired by their report on the Walton Family Foundation, one of the nation’s largest funders of education reform. (For more information on the event, check out this post). These Philamplify reports are themselves rich historical documents, well attuned to changing strategies and priorities in the foundations examined.

HistPhil will also be watching this live debate closely (and hopefully attending), paying particular attention to how the history of education and philanthropy is utilized by each side. Claims as to what philanthropy has–or has not–achieved in the field can prove a powerful weapon in these sorts of exchanges.